Gardens for Humanity, a nonprofit
volunteer organization that plants "healing" gardens, was
honored for contributing 11,751 volunteer hours over the past year at
various locations in Arizona. The demonstration garden at the University
of Arizona Extension Services Building, 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix,
features wall murals of nature's cycles by children from the Villa Housing
project.

"When Gardens for Humanity
puts their art into action, the resultant gardens in places like schools
and healthcare facilities and reservations bring moments of healing
peace to all who stop by," said Secretary Norton. "We learned
after 9/11 that going back to nature and the solitude and beauty offered
in our parks and refuges across this country offered a renewal of spirit.
At Interior, we have invested a great deal of time and effort in the
Take Pride in America program because we believe we can renew spirit
and pride one acre at a time across this nation."

Take Pride in America is
a national partnership that aims to support and recognize volunteers
who work to improve our national parks, forests, grasslands and wildlife
refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and
other recreation areas. It is part of the President's USA Freedom Corps.
For more information, see www.takepride.gov.